REEEP

FINLAND Joins International Renewables Partnership

Helsinki, 29.04.2008

Finland today became a formal partner of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP).

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) is an active, global public-private partnership that structures policy and regulatory initiatives for clean energy and facilitates financing for energy projects. REEEP was announced at the  Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, fully established in June 2004 with an international secretariat in Vienna, and has now become an important player in the field of promoting the development of renewable energies and energy efficiency.

Finland has now decided to become a partner of REEEP joining the 35 governments currently supporting the Partnership.

By joining forces with the REEEP, Finland in particular brings its expertise in energy auditing and the possibility of closer cooperation with the Energy and Environment Partnership with Central America (EEP). EEP was initiated by the Government of Finland and is currently financed by Finland and Austria

Marjatta Rasi, Under-Secretary of State (International Development cooperation and policy) signed the REEEP agreement on behalf of Finland at a signing ceremony at the British Ambassador’s Residence on 29 April 2008.   British Ambassador to Finland, Dr Valerie Caton was closely involved in the development of the REEEP intiative in her former job as Head of Climate Change and Energy Group in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London.

Finland’s REEEP membership is another example of the drive by countries towards  improved energy security and reduced dependence on fossil fuels. Establishing international cooperation links with REEEP will allow increased development of renewable energy sources and also the ability to share experiences with neighbouring countries.

The policy changes are creating a more favourable investment environment for the country.  “We are extremely pleased that Finland has joined the REEEP.  The country already makes extensive use of renewable energy, particularly in paper production, and is a world leader in the use of tri-generation and other energy efficient technologies,” stated Marianne Osterkorn, REEEP’s International Director.  The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs will act as the Finnish government’s representative to REEEP.

REEEP is active globally, with over 50 on-the-ground projects targeting the development of policy or financial models that can be replicated by governments and project developers worldwide. In Eastern Europe REEEP is working with municipalities to remove barriers to energy efficiency in buildings.
The partnership has more than 220 members, including all G8 countries with the exception of Russia. 

HM Ambassador in Helsinki, Dr Valerie Caton, comments: "As former head of the UK FCO team which established REEEP from 2002-2004 it is a great delight to me that Finland has today become a REEEP partner. I look forward to exploring how the UK and Finland can cooperate within REEEP in the future."

For more information contact:
Mr Veikko Soralahti, Deputy Director
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
veikko.soralahti@formin.fi